3 hours Ago By John Wheeler
FARGO — A bill has been introduced to the Oklahoma state Senate that would require storm chasers to be licensed. The bill, written by Sen. Mark Mann, is called the Oklahoma Emergency Weather Response and Tracking Regulatory Act of 2025.
It's purpose is to make Oklahoma's roads safer during times of severe weather. It is well-known throughout the meteorological community that there are professional storm chasers, who are a combination of thrill-seeker and scientist, who benefit the science of meteorology by collecting video and other data about thunderstorms that can only be obtained in the presence of tornadoes. However, there is also a growing number of amateur adrenaline junkies who mostly clog roads and put themselves and others in danger.
The bill would require a licensing process, hopefully limiting the number of storm gawkers, but would also allow certain privileges to the authorized chasers such as the right to travel on roads closed by the weather..
